Refsnyder could get some reps at third

TAMPA, Fla. -- Rob Refsnyder says that he is up for anything that will help him crack the Opening Day roster, including a look at third base. Manager Joe Girardi said that is a topic they planned to discuss during a series of meetings on Wednesday afternoon.

The December trade for Starlin Castro seemed to displace the 24-year-old Refsnyder, who had been mentioned as part of a potential second-base platoon with Dustin Ackley. Girardi said that the Yankees are contemplating alternate ways that Refsnyder could fit on the roster.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Rob Refsnyder says that he is up for anything that will help him crack the Opening Day roster, including a look at third base. Manager Joe Girardi said that is a topic they planned to discuss during a series of meetings on Wednesday afternoon.

The December trade for Starlin Castro seemed to displace the 24-year-old Refsnyder, who had been mentioned as part of a potential second-base platoon with Dustin Ackley. Girardi said that the Yankees are contemplating alternate ways that Refsnyder could fit on the roster.

"It's a young man who did a pretty decent job last year when we called him up, and he played at the end of the year," Girardi said. "Castro is going to be your everyday second baseman. How do you present opportunities to players you feel could help us in some way? And those are the things we have to talk about."

Refsnyder, who is ranked the club's No. 9 prospect, batted .302 with two homers and five RBIs in 16 games over two stints with the Yankees, starting eight of the final 11 regular-season games at second base before getting the nod against Dallas Keuchel and the Astros in the American League Wild Card Game.

Refsnyder has been working regularly with infield coach Joe Espada and bench coach Rob Thomson at the club's Minor League complex, and Refsnyder said that if the Yankees want him to take ground balls at third base, he'll be ready.

"Shoot, I'm up for anything," Refsnyder said. "I was playing right field in college a couple of years ago, so I'm not going to rule anything out. I'm optimistic and kind of open for anything."

The Yankees believe that Refsnyder's defense at second base, once a question mark, has improved over the last year. The fact that Refsnyder was able to handle a new position suggests that he might be able to do the same at third base.

"He'll probably be talked about as much as anyone in that meeting," Girardi said.